Overview
- Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza received 643 first-place votes and 2,362 points, delivering the program’s first Heisman Trophy.
- Mendoza led the Hoosiers to a Big Ten championship over Ohio State and the No. 1 College Football Playoff seed, and his acceptance highlighted faith and a message to his mother.
- Runner-up Diego Pavia posted “F-all the voters” on Instagram after the ceremony, and later appeared in club footage beside an “F— Indiana” sign while making an obscene gesture.
- Pavia issued a public apology on X the next day, calling his reaction disrespectful and praising Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love and Julian Sayin.
- Pavia finished a breakout season with 3,192 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 826 rushing yards for 10–2 Vanderbilt, which is scheduled to face Iowa in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.